The outlaws believed in purging their land of the greed and corruption that had taken root under King John’s reign. And they did it by using subterfuge, cunning and guise, making them nameless traitors in the eyes of the law. And being one of them meant that Eleanor’s position was precarious, at best.
Yet the need to be Le Renard was as essential to her as the very air she breathed. It was from the ashes of her abusive first marriage that The Fox had risen, giving her purpose, helping her survive. It had meant that Eleanor could bury the shame that she carried and turn it into something good—something that enabled her to fight back. Fight for something she not only believed in but was prepared to die for... Justice.
As a woman she could do nothing, but as Le Renard she could do plenty—and in time she would do much, much more. However, since her marriage, the walls of Tallany Castle had felt as if they were closing in and she’d had to be more careful than ever before. One wrong step and it would all crumble around her.
Eleanor scrambled out of the solar as she recognised the shadowy figure of Gilbert Claymore from her chamber window, riding back into the inner bailey in haste. She grabbed a flame torch and climbed down the dark spiral stairwell, meeting her old steward as he hurried towards her.
‘My lady.’ Gilbert bowed swiftly. ‘You shouldn’t be here at this time.’
‘Never mind that—what news?’
‘We reached the hideout and informed the group of your warning.’
‘Thank God!’ She exhaled in relief.
‘Your lord husband, though...he is a masterful horseman. Faster than any man I have ever seen. He caught up with them as they were getting away and gave chase.’
Having seen him ride effortlessly quickly during their race, she could vouchsafe Hugh’s prowess on horseback. This was worrying—very worrying indeed.
‘And what of the group? Are they all...? Are they still at risk?’
‘I cannot tell, my lady. I had to ride back quickly, for fear of being exposed, but I believe your husband, his friend Sir William and others are returning now.’
‘Then I must take my leave of you. I thank you, Gilbert, as always.’
‘I live to serve you, my lady.’ He inclined his head. ‘Let’s hope I got there in time and that our friends are safe.’
She scurried back up the spiral stairwell, depositing the torch back into its ornate sconce, and then walked into the inner bailey, which was a hive of activity even at this late hour.
Had it only been earlier this day that Hugh had gifted her a flock of sheep, taught her the art of combat and then kissed her with an all-consuming passion that she could still feel now? How had it descended into this...this mayhem?
A jolt of realisation hit her. Despite the fact that she now liked, admired and was hopelessly attracted to her husband, they did not share the same beliefs. If a line were drawn in the sand, they would always be on different sides.
Eleanor watched Hugh and the others as they rode in through the gatehouse and into the inner bailey, dismounting their horses. She smoothed down her veil, which was chafing at the neck.
‘I’m glad to see you return, my lord. Were you...’ she swallowed ‘...successful?’
Hugh bowed and briefly raised her hand to his lips. He looked dishevelled, with mud spattered along his jerkin, braies and boots.
‘Indeed, Eleanor. We have caught two of the criminal outlaws.’ He gestured, tilting his chin at Will, who was pulling two men bound and gagged down from the back of a horse. ‘But you shouldn’t be here right now. This is no place for a lady. I will see you in our solar.’
Eleanor glanced at the men without revealing that she recognised them, and schooled her features into an expression of indifference at the sight of her friends, dirty with mud, grime and goodness knew what matted into their hair.
‘What will happen now?’ she demanded.
He inhaled. ‘Justice.’
With that, he trudged towards the hall, following his men.
Justice?
Lord alone knew what that meant—not that she believed Hugh to be cruel.
Eleanor closed her eyes. No, he was a good, honourable man, but she knew what happened to traitors if they were found guilty. She had to do all she could to help her friends Osbert and Godwin, who were also good and honourable. And that meant that they had to be found innocent of any charges they were accused of. She had to find a way to achieve that.
‘Hugh—wait.’
Her husband turned, his brow furrowed. ‘What is it, Eleanor?’
She straightened her back and met his eyes. ‘I want to accompany you when you question those men.’
‘Why? This is not a matter for you to involve yourself in.’
Hugh’s dark hair flopped over one eye and Eleanor watched him drag it back with his fingers, making her wish that she had done it herself.
She gave herself a mental shake. ‘Even so, I am the lady of this castle—the chatelaine—and I have always been involved with matters related to Tallany.’
‘I understand, however, this is somewhat different, wouldn’t you say?’
‘I would. But since I have experience in such matters...’
‘Your concern is misplaced, Eleanor.’ He tilted his head in irritation. ‘As the new Lord of Tallany, I promise they will get a fair trial. Now, if you’ll excuse me?’
‘Please, Hugh,’ she pleaded. ‘Please.’
He sighed, giving her a wry smile. ‘Very well, if it means that much to you. But this is important, Eleanor. I cannot have interruptions at the proceedings.’
The great hall held a tension that seemed to permeate the night air. The hammer-beam ceiling loomed large and menacingly dark, giving the room an eerie edge. Large flame torches fixed in metal sconces burned throughout the decorative stone walls of the hall, casting shadows light and dark and everything in between.
So different
